Question

How can I get my toddler to give up the bottle?

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My 22-month-old son still wants a bottle in the morning, one before his nap, and another at bedtime. If we don't give it to him, he cries inconsolably. How can we get him to use a cup during the day and to stop relying on the bottle to fall sleep? I could really use some advice.

Mom Answers

I am not sure what the answer is. I just know that my son stopped taking the bottle around his first birthday. He as starting to play with the bottle at the sitters and at night before bedtime. I am not sure if he saw the big kids drinking out of cups at the sitters or not, but one night I gave him a cup of milk instead of a bottle and he didn't cry a bit. I instantly put the bottles away and we haven't used them since.

My daughter will be 2 years old on the 16th of this month. When she turned one and we went for her 12-month checkup, her doctor said to take the bottle away completely and give her a sippy cup. If she didn't want her cup, the doctor said don't give her anything. If she is really thirsty, she will drink from the cup. Immediately after the doctor's appointment, I tried it and he hasn't drank from a bottle since! You may think it's torture, but keeping your child on a bottle or pacifier longer than they should be can create consequences. They will get older and constantly need that oral gratification so they will suck their thumbs, smoke, or satisfy that need with food!

I have 4 boys and I weaned all of them at 12 months old and switched them to the sippy cup. I would always take it away cold turkey so that it doesn't confuse them anymore. They all cried a little but if they don't have other options they will eventually take the cup. Just find the right sippy cup that you know they will like. I think it is horrible that people will allow their children to suck on a bottle if they are over 18 months. To me it is the parent's fault for not putting a stop to it. Many doctors say that if you haven't taken a bottle or pacifier away before 18 months it makes it extremely hard for the child. Why would you want to put them through that?

I'm in the same boat. My daughter will be 2 next week and she still loves her morning, naptime and bedtime bottle. She doesn't take a bottle to bed, so I don't see why I should deprive her of this "treat." I don't know why the pediatricians these days make you feel like a horrible mother for letting our "baby" have a bottle after the age of 1! Why do they want them growing up so fast?!

I have a 19 month old and hes been off the bottle for a little over a month now..We just simply took it from him..We walked him to the garbagge can and told him it was no good and he never wanted it since then.They also have these really cool sippy cups that have a nipple like a bottle..Those worh well also..

MY SON IS THE SAME AGE AND HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM TOO. SOME PEOPLE TELL ME THAT HE WILL GIVE UP THE BOTTLE ON HISOWN TIME AND ON HIS OWN TERMS AND OTHERS TELL ME TO TAKE THE BOTTLE AWAY AND LISTEN TO HIM SCREAM FOR A WEEK OR TWO. BUT IM A SINGLE MOM AND I WORK AND IM TOO EXHAUSTED AT THE END OF THE DAY TO LISTEN TO HIM FREAK OUT OVER SOMETHING AS SMALL AS A BOTTLE.. HE DRINKS FROM SIPPY CUPS, REGULAR CUPS, AND WATER BOTTLES, BUT HE "NEEDS" HIS BOTTLE FOR COMFORT AND TO HELP HIM FALL ASLEEP WHICH IS GREAT FOR ME BECAUSE I GET SLEEP TOO. SO IM TAKING THE "LET HIM GIVE IT UP ON HIS OWN" METHOD. I HOPE THIS HELPS. TO EACH THEIR OWN OF COURSE. THERE'S NO RIGHT OR WORNG WAY.

The last comment posted by Laura, was extremely rude and uncalled for. I'm glad you obviously had such great luck with nursing your child- but to those of us who are giving our child "inferior" food, such as formula, I guess we are terrible parents.
I breastfed until my child was five months old and was diagnosed with food allergies/ reflux. I could eat only saltines without him crying in pain at every feeding. So I switched to nutramagin formula- was I an inferior mother for doing that even though my child gained weight finally and wasn't crying in pain?
Your answer, Laura, was highly unintelligent and unthoughtful- not all of us are as blessed as you to be able to breastfeed so easily! I was very enlightened and informed to find out that my child was not getting proper nutrients because he is bottle fed-although i thought it was just good that he was getting any nutrients at all! Next time you post such a rude and ridiculous post, try to not be so judgmental!

Laura, I pity you for your ignorance. Some mothers are not able to nurse their children for reasons beyond their control. My son was delivered via C-Section due to complications. without a mother going through labor, the milk doesn't come in right away. when my son was born, he had a few holes in his heart and was having very labored breathing. on top of that, when i got back from the operating room the nurse already had given him a bottle due to low blood sugar. I tried repeatedly to nurse but I had no milk, and he was very frustrated and cried frantically. I didn't want to subject my son to undue stress and worry about his little heart. I reluctantly chose to bottle feed and he is a very healthy and well adjusted 12 month old. how dare you chastise someone who you don't know when you are ignorant of their situation!

My Daughter is 12 months old and we started introducing the cup to her since she was about 9 months old. But, after I decided to stop breastfeeding. So now she only uses a bottle at night before we lay her down to relax her. But the cup she likes the most is the ELMO cup. After we purchased something she liked it was no turning back. May that is something you should consider.

My son it 27 months and my daughter just turned 12 months and I have the same problem with them wanting milk in the bottle only. I have now started to give it to them before they go to bed and then brush their teeth. My doctor said the only time it is a problem is when they sleep with the bottle. My mother and mother-in-law were both 3 1/2 when they were taken off the bottle. When he is around other children he will not drink the bottle so as soon as he starts a three year old program I know he will get off himself.

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